TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame announced this week that seven persons would enshrined this fall during the 40th Sports Hall of Fame Weekend, Friday and Saturday, September 25-26, 2015.
Five athletes and two supporters of athletics will be honored during the Induction Ceremonies on Friday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
The 40th Sports Hall of Fame class features former All-American gridders Wally Williams, a stellar offensive lineman, who played 10 seasons in the NFL; scintillating sprinter and return specialist Howard Huckaby, and record-setting punter Vaughn Wilson, along with basketball scoring ace John Andrews and track and field All-America Kenneth Thompson.
Also being enshrined are two persons as Supporters of Athletics, longtime athletic trainer Akima Abrakata Dina, and former FAMU and NFL cheerleader Latricia Allen, who will be inducted posthumously.
This year’s Enshrinement, on Friday, September 25, will open with a Parade Of Rattler Legends, recognizing previous inductees present at the event, followed by the Induction Ceremony and Dinner.
On Saturday morning, September 26, the annual President’s Breakfast and Wall Of Distinction Plaque Unveiling will be held at the Hansel E. Tookes Recreation Center at 9:00 a.m.
The 2015 Enshrinement Class members will be honored during pregame ceremonies at the FAMU-Tennessee State Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
For further information, contact Hall of Fame Steering Committee chair Dr. Joseph P. Ramsey at (850) 545-3725.
A limited number of tickets will go on sale at the FAMU Athletic Box Office in the Lawson Center beginning July 15.
Tickets are $50 each and tables seating eight (8) are available for $400..
The FAMU Sports Hall of Fame was founded by the late Hansel E. Tookes, former athletic director, in 1976, when it inducted its’ first class of honorees.
2015 FAMU SPORTS HALL OF FAME BIOS
Athletes
ANDREWS, JOHN (Basketball, 1970-1974) – A native of nearby Havana, Florida, Andrews was a sharpshooting guard who led the team in scoring three straight seasons, finishing his career #3 all-time in FAMU history, with 1,726 points in 97 games, for a nifty 17.8 career scoring average… He was a first-team All-SIAC selection in 1972, when he averaged 21.8 points per game in 28 games, finishing with 610 points… In 1973, he was a second-team All-SIAC pick after averaging 22.5 points per game in 26 games… As a senior in 1974, Andrews averaged 18.7 points per game in 25 games…
HUCKABY, HOWARD (Football, Track, 1985-89) – A blazing speedster from the Bayou State of Louisiana, where he was a track phenom in the U.S. Junior Olympics, Huckaby became a record-setting return man for the Rattler Football team, as well as a dominant sprinter for the FAMU Men’s Track Team…. In track, Huckaby was scintillating in the sprints and relays, earned Most Outstanding Performer honors at the 1987 MEAC Outdoor Championships as a sophomore, helping lead the Rattlers to Indoor and Outdoor titles in 1988 and 1989… In Football, he excelled as a return man, shattering numerous NCAA punt return standards in 1998, he led the nation with an 18.1-yard average per runback, with 478 returns yards and an NCAA record four (4) TDs… The three-time All-MEAC return ace also led the team in kickoff returns all four years he played, highlighted by a sizzling 1987 campaign, during which he led the nation, averaging an amazing 30.1 yards per return, compiling 602 returns yards on 30 attempts, all national bests that season.
THOMPSON, KENNETH L. (Track and Field * 1971-74) – A standout performer under Coach Bobby Lang for the FAMU track team in the early 1970s, Kenneth Thompson was a key member of the Rattler relay teams, in addition to his individual successes as a sprinter. Prior to donning the Orange and Green, Thompson was a standout performer collegiately at North Carolina Central, where he earned Track and Field All-America honors before transferring to FAMU. At FAMU, Thompson’s hard work garnered him the Coaches’ Workhorse Award in 1972 and the Ironman and Most Outstanding Awards in 1973, and he served as team captain in 1974.
A stellar high school athlete, Thompson was a member of the Miami Killian High state championship teams in the 4x400 and the 4x220, which set state records in 1970... Thompson, who currently resides in Havana, Florida, owns the popular printing and novelty business, Kenny T’s, noted for cutting edge designs in T-shirts and athletic apparel...He also served as an assistant track coach at FAMU from 1993 to 1998 under Coach Bobby Lang, and he has been an avid supporter of FAMU Athletics through the Rattler Boosters, Inc., and direct financial support to basketball, baseball, softball, track and tennis.
WILSON, VAUGHN (Football, 1985-88) – A two-time All-America kicker for FAMU, Wilson’s punting prowess was key for the Rattlers’ MEAC co-championship run in 1988... The former Baby Rattler, who also played baseball at FAMU, and spent his first two seasons as a long snapper on special teams, became the team’s regular punter in 1987...Wilson averaged 39.6 yards per kick on 70 attempts, earning first-team All-MEAC and Black College All-America honors in 1987...He followed that performance with a school record 2,812 punting yards, good for a 42.6 average on 66 attempts, which yielded him a second All-MEAC selection and All-American selection both as first team Sheridan All-American and second team Associate press All-American. He capped his career being voted the Florida Classic MVP in Tampa in 1988.
WILLIAMS, WALLY (Football, 1989-92) – A multi-talented athlete, whose quickness, tremendous agility and strength caught the eyes of numerous college scouts, Wally Williams chose Florida A&M, becoming the anchor for an offensive front that would pave the way for the All-America running backs like Amir Rasul (1990) and Chuck Duffey (1991), while giving quarterbacks time to hit their talented cadre of receivers, led by All-America Terry Mickens (1992)… A three-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference performer at center primarily, Williams played an integral role in the Rattlers’ 1990 MEAC Championship, and helped them to a stunning 28-17 season-opening road upset of national power Georgia Southern, on the way to an appearance in the 1992 Heritage Bowl against Grambling… Williams’ abilities drew professional interest, and the former Rickards High star embarked on a 10-year career beginning with the Cleveland Browns (1993-95), later moving with them to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens (1996-98). He finally settled in New Orleans, playing guard for the Saints from 1999 until his retirement following to 2003 season.
Supporters
ALLEN, LATRICA LAFAYE (Cheerleader, 1984-87) – Latricia Lafaye “Trish” Allen served as a FAMU Cheerleader from 1984 to 1987. Blessed with an outgoing personality that made her a fan favorite, Allen was also a member of the FAMU Epicurean Modeling Troupe and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., representing FAMU in a positive light in the community...A native of St. Joe, Florida, Allen graduated with a degree in computer information systems in 1988, and earned a master’s in public administration from FAMU in 1990. After obtaining her master’s degree, Allen began work for the Florida Department of Corrections as a Programming Analyst for eight years, then in 1995, she became a member of the inaugural class of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ “Roar” cheerleading squad, serving with that group for three years, also appearing in community service events...She served the three years with the Jaguars’ cheering squad while commuting several times a week from Tallahassee, eventually becoming a squad mentor...In 2000, Allen married Sherman Ledet and became the mother of two daughters, Zoe and Kyra. However, in late 2010, she was diagnosed with cancer, and passed from this life in May of 2011.
DINA, AKIMA A. (Athletic Trainer, 1988-Present) - Akima Abrakata Dina has worked 20 years as Head Athletic Trainer at Florida A&M, serving as the primary coordinator of FAMU’s Sports Medicine services for all sports. She has been an integral part of the school’s Sports Medicine program since 1988, serving in virtually every capacity from graduate assistant to head trainer...
A native of Nigeria, Abrakata Dina was a former track All-American at Lincoln (Mo.) University in 1981 and 1982, performing in the javelin and high jump. She graduated from Lincoln with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education in 1985...She obtained a master’s in Sports Medicine, from the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama and received her formal certification as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’Association (NATA) in November 1993...The personable Abrakata Dina began her sports medicine career at the University of South Alabama as a graduate assistant trainer (1987-88), before coming to Florida A&M in the fall of 1988 to fill a similar role for one year. She was then elevated to Assistant Athletic Trainer in August of 1989...Prior to her permanent promotion to Head Athletic Trainer in 1994, she had twice served as the interim head athletic trainer in the 1989-90 school year and again in the winter and spring of 1993-94.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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